The Challenge of Giving European NEETs Access to Green Jobs: Mentoring Young People in Theory and Practice

As the urgency to face climate change and other major environmental issues (loss of biodiversity, waste management, etc.) is growing, the demand for green jobs all over Europe has increased significantly. While many of the jobs emerging in response to these challenges require high levels of qualification and are creating new training and employment opportunities for graduates, one significant challenge lies in providing avenues for young people without formal qualifications to secure gainful employment.

In Europe, where youth unemployment rates remain high, bridging the gap between sustainable employment and unqualified youth poses several obstacles and calls for innovative responses. This article presents some of the challenges faced by young people seeking low skilled green jobs in Europe and explores potential solutions with a particular focus on the issue of training and mentoring.

1. Limited Access to Training and Education: The Challenges of Non-formal Education

One of the primary challenges faced by low skilled and unqualified youth in Europe is the limited access to academic training and education. Many green jobs require specialized skills and knowledge, which are often acquired through formal education or vocational training. Unfortunately, young individuals without qualifications have left the education system prematurely and are reluctant to return, often as a result of failure or incompatibility with traditional academic systems. They are then at a disadvantage, as they may lack the necessary expertise to enter the green job market. Accessible and affordable training programs should be established to equip young people with the requisite skills to participate in the green economy. A preliminary awareness-raising stage must be undertaken to help young individuals who are Not in Employment, Education and Training (NEETs) understand the issues and challenges at stake and the job potential that may be open to them.

This is the challenge taken up by the SMARTLY project, for example, which offers an initial 25-hour awareness-raising curriculum for young NEETs, largely based on the principles of non-formal education. This is also one of the aims of the RESMYLE project, supported by the ENI CBC MED programme, which offers non-formal education tools to trainers and specialized educators responsible for providing social support to NEETs. European projects such as CLUSTER, supported by ENI CBC MED, or ECOCIRCLE supported by ERASMUS+ are seeking to develop curricula tailored to young people with fewer opportunities by focusing on practical skills in areas with potential for employment such as sustainable agriculture, hydroponics, the circular economy, etc.

2. Lack of Experience: Increase Practical Experience in the Field

Another significant challenge for unqualified youth seeking green jobs is the lack of professional experience. Employers often prioritize candidates with relevant work experience, which makes it difficult for inexperienced individuals to secure employment in the field. Encouraging internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training opportunities can help bridge this gap by providing hands-on experience and building a foundation for young people to establish themselves in the green job sector. The practical, on-the-job training provided by the "chantiers écoles" in France, for example, as well as national (civic service in France or Italy) or European (mobility under the ERASMUS Youth programme) mobility schemes, are all ways of enabling young people to develop their practical, on-the-job activities around environmental issues, outside the context of an academic qualification. It is evident that young individuals who frequently encounter economic and social challenges along with fragile personal circumstances, require a gradual development of field experience. This process necessitates more intensive supervision compared to what is typically expected for a formal education trainee.

The challenge is also to ensure that these practical experiences in the field are recognized in the same way as academic placements, for example by incorporating them into European benchmarks such as YOUTHPASS.

3. Limited Networking Opportunities: Develop Skills Mentoring in An Appropriate Setting

Networking plays a crucial role in career development, but unqualified youth often lack the necessary connections to enter the green job market. Building professional networks can be challenging without formal education or previous employment in the field. Initiatives such as mentorship programs, professional events, and job fairs can facilitate networking opportunities for unqualified youth, enabling them to connect with employers, professionals, and organizations working in the green sector. In the RESMYLE project, the partners wanted to create eco-incubators for entrepreneurial projects led by young people, and to include in these incubators a wide range of skills mentoring by young retirees, working professionals in the fields of eco-construction, sustainable tourism, etc.

4. Perceived Skills Mismatch: Enhance Personal Skills

Employers sometimes perceive a mismatch between the skills possessed by unqualified youth and the requirements of green jobs. This perception can deter young individuals from pursuing employment in the sector, leading to a missed opportunity for both the individuals and the environment. Raising awareness among employers about the potential of unqualified youth, emphasizing transferable skills, and showcasing success stories can help challenge this perception and promote the inclusion of young people in green job opportunities. It is crucial to emphasize the significance of not only environmental knowledge but also personal skills, commonly known as soft skills, to employers. Efforts should be made to promote this understanding, and profiling and evaluation tools should place even greater emphasis on assessing and acknowledging these personal skills. By doing so, individuals will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities within a supportive environment.

Many European projects have dedicated their focus to the development of soft skills for NEETs. One notable example is the STONE project, supported by ERASMUS+, which places emphasis on enhancing the skills of both NEETs and trainers. The idea is to offer profiling and evaluation tools that are not solely based on intellectual or academic processes but can also help address the difficulties of expression or the timidity often felt by NEETS in front of an evaluator. The contribution of digital technologies, such as VR glasses or augmented reality, should help invent new systems for profiling young NEETS that better value their personal abilities.

It is worth mentioning the intriguing experiments carried out by the BHC21 project (supported by Interreg 2 Seas) which has in particular made it possible to establish a course for strengthening the skills of young people far from employment in the industrial sector. The program incorporates both digital technologies and the cultivation of soft skills to empower and equip these individuals for future opportunities.

Conclusion

Addressing the obstacles faced by low skilled and unqualified youth in accessing green jobs in Europe is crucial for fostering a sustainable and inclusive future. By investing in accessible training and education, providing relevant work experience opportunities, facilitating networking and mentorship programs, challenging skills mismatches, European countries can create pathways for NEETs to enter the green job market. Empowering young individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to contribute to the green economy will not only benefit the environment but also foster economic growth and social equity. It is through concerted efforts and collaborative initiatives that we can build a greener future, where no young person is left behind.

Article written by Matthieu Guary, European Projects Manager at CDE Petra Patrimonia (France).